Over 100 rescued after boat sinks in Indian Ocean

02:41 PM August 20th, 2013

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August 20th, 2013 02:41 PM

SYDNEY — Rescuers pulled more than 100 suspected asylum seekers to safety on Tuesday after their boat sank in the Indian Ocean.

The boat sank about 220 kilometers (140 miles) north of Christmas Island, where Australia operates a detention camp for asylum seekers. An Australian navy ship hurried to the scene after the Australian Maritime Safety Authority received a call for help from someone on board Tuesday morning. When the navy ship arrived, the boat was partially submerged and passengers were struggling in the water.

Rescuers plucked 106 people to safety, the Customs and Border Protection agency said in a statement. Two people had minor injuries.

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The search and rescue effort was continuing Tuesday afternoon, though it was unclear whether more people were missing. The maritime authority initially estimated 105 people were on board the stricken vessel.

Christmas Island, located around 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Jakarta, Indonesia, is a popular destination for asylum seekers who crowd into rickety boats at Indonesian ports and pay smugglers to bring them to Australian shores. Hundreds have died while attempting the journey in recent years.

Australia is trying to discourage such risky journeys and announced last month it would no longer accept asylum seekers who arrive by boat. Instead, it is evaluating their claims and resettling verified refugees in Papua New Guinea or the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru.